What is the story of Pimhill's naked woman carving?

When walking in the Shropshire countryside the last thing you expect to stumble upon is a carving of a naked woman.

But that's exactly what happens to many walkers out for a stroll in an area near Wem.

Now Richard Tisdale, of Bomere Heath, near Shrewsbury, has issued an appeal to the public to help him find out more about the mysterious carving that is located on a small cliff face at Pimhill.

Mr Tisdale was first introduced to the carving by a friend when he moved into the area in about 1993 and saw it again when he went walking in the area in the last few weeks.

The creation stands horizontal about 4ft tall and is located among some trees.

Mr Tisdale said Pimhill had a mining history dating back to the 1700s and wondered whether this was linked to the carving.

The first documentary evidence of copper mining in Pimhill reportedly dates back to 1710 when the Countess of Bridgewater granted a 14-year lease to search for and mine copper ore and other minerals from the Pimhill and Myddle areas, but very little mining actually took place.

Mr Tisdale said: "When I moved into the area in about 1993 a friend of mine showed me the carving. I was curious about its history at the time and after seeing it again a few weeks ago I thought I would make an appeal to the public to see if they can tell me about where it came from.

"I want to know if anyone in the area knows when it was carved and even who by.

"Also what's the earliest anyone can remember seeing it there.

"I know the area has a mining history dating back to about the 1700s and wonder if it has a link to that. It's not something you come across every day.

"Facing the hill its location is high up on the left, but is hidden by trees. To get to it you have to walk up the hill and then head down to the cliff."

By James Pugh

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